Crawford's Regt and his original cavalry battalion appear to be different units. His original, ala Gunter to Hill's regiment does not appear to be his "regiment" that was organized in late 1863. Here are, however, his letters and info regarding the time he led his CAV BN up in north Ark: He talks of chasing jayhawkers and how all of his men deserted him initially. Sounds like the men of Adams regt continued to be less than patriots even after Prairie Grove!

From Apr 16 1863 letter to wife: "I have heard from the country to which I was ordered there is a large federal force in that county, and the men I am to take charge of (Gunter's men??) have fallen back, a portion have gone down White river and the balance to Searcy Co. so my orders have been changed and I go direct to Searcy Co and perhaps to Newton Co. The federals are destroying every thing in that country belonging to southerners."

Camp near Bellefonte, Carrol Co Ar. May 15 1863

..."I arrived in this portion of the country on the 29th. I found the fources that I am to comand had been scattered by the enumy before my arrival and I have found it a very difficult matter to collect them again and we have been most of the time almost surrounded by the enemy...I will have about three hundred an fifty men by tomorrow night, but we are poorly armed. A portion of my command had a skirmish with the enemy on the morning I arrived here and repulsed them killing two and wounding others. We are in a condition here that requires close watching all the time as we are farther in advance than any portion of our army. The enemy have laid waste all the best portion of this country, have burned a greate many houses and have entirely striped the families of all means of subsistance, bed clothing, table furiture etc. and have MURDERED a greate many of the best citizens, there has been several old men butchered in the most brutle manner in this immediate vicinity...

HQ Cabell's Brig May 30, 1863

Col W A Crawford having remained in camp for two days after his entire command had left for home is hereby permitted to go to his home in Saline Co, Arkansas, there to remain until further orders...

Camp Cabell, Crooked Creek, Carroll Co Ark, June 22nd, 1863

Dear Wife and Children
I have just rec'd orders from Genl Cabell to move as fast as possible with my command to Fayetteville and will leave this country as soon as I can get my men together wihci will take me 4 or 5 days the most of them being out cutting wheat. I have aboutr five hundred men now and will I think have some two hundred more in a few days, the most of my men have been out harvisting wheat for the last ten days. I have never seen as fine a wheat crop in any country as is here. and we have managed to save the greater poriton of it which is selling here at one dollar and fifty cents pr bushel.

I have no news.... the enemy have fallen back into Missouri, my scouts go to the line nearly every day..."